Abstract: To maintain a suitable vehicle separation between a driven vehicle and a preceding vehicle, a controller predicts a closest approach distance between the driven vehicle and the preceding vehicle on the assumption that the preceding vehicle decelerates at a deceleration detected by a sensor and that the driven vehicle decelerates at a prescribed assumed deceleration after running at a speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor for an idle running time. The controller predicts the speed at the time of closest approach when the separation between the preceding vehicle and the driven vehicle is the closest approach distance. A suitable vehicle separation is determined based on the predicted speed at the time of closest approach and a previously set length of time, and when the predicted closest approach distance is smaller than the suitable vehicle separation, a warning or braking force is generated.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device for a vehicle that detects obstacles using a distance to an object calculated by image processing and a distance to the object calculated by radar ranging. This obstacle detection device includes a measuring portion that measures an amount of movement of the object at a predetermined interval of time by image processing and a measuring portion that measures an amount of movement of the object at a predetermined interval of time by radar ranging, and does not determine the object to be an obstacle when the two amounts of movement are not consistent.

Abstract: In order to maintain a suitable vehicle separation between a driven vehicle with respect to a preceding vehicle, an electric controller 10 predicts a closest approach distance between the driven vehicle and the preceding vehicle on the assumption that the preceding vehicle decelerates at a deceleration detected by a vehicle separation sensor 12 and the like and that the driven vehicle decelerates at a prescribed assumed deceleration after running at a speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 11 for an idle running time. The electric controller predicts the speed at the time of closest approach when the separation between the preceding vehicle and the driven vehicle is the closest approach distance.

Abstract: Warning apparatus for an automotive vehicle, operable to generate a warning signal when a distance between the vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle is shorter than a predetermined threshold value, the apparatus including a characteristic-value storage portion which stores at least one characteristic-value relationship between at least two of a plurality of brake operating characteristic values relating to a braking operation by an operator of the vehicle to brake the vehicle, and a threshold-value determining portion operable to determine the threshold value of the distance, on the basis of at least one of an estimated braking state of the vehicle estimated on the basis of the characteristic-value relationship stored in the characteristic-value storage portion, a running-state quantity indicative of a running state of the vehicle, and a moving-state quantity indicative of a moving state of the object.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device for a vehicle that detects obstacles using a distance to an object calculated by image processing and a distance to the object calculated by radar ranging. This obstacle detection device includes a measuring portion that measures an amount of movement of the object at a predetermined interval of time by image processing and a measuring portion that measures an amount of movement of the object at a predetermined interval of time by radar ranging, and does not determine the object to be an obstacle when the two amounts of movement are not consistent.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control apparatus including a vehicle running stability control device for controlling an automotive vehicle for stable running of the vehicle, and a braking device for applying a brake to the vehicle, wherein a hazard detecting device or detecting a hazardous condition of the vehicle such as a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle and a deviation of the vehicle from the nominal running path, and an automatic brake application device is operable to activate the braking device, when the hazardous condition is detected at least during an operation of the vehicle running stability control device.

Abstract: Warning apparatus for an automotive vehicle, operable to generate a warning signal when a distance between the vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle is shorter than a predetermined threshold value, the apparatus including a characteristic-value storage portion which stores at least one characteristic-value relationship between at least two of a plurality of brake operating characteristic values relating to a braking operation by an operator of the vehicle to brake the vehicle, and a threshold-value determining portion operable to determine the threshold value of the distance, on the basis of at least one of an estimated braking state of the vehicle estimated on the basis of the characteristic-value relationship stored in the characteristic-value storage portion, a running-state quantity indicative of a running state of the vehicle, and a moving-state quantity indicative of a moving state of the object.

Abstract: An air suspension system with an air drier that adjusts vehicle height quickly especially when lowering the height. This system also efficiently maintains the desiccating capacity of the air drier. In lowering the vehicle, all the air discharged from an air actuator is compressed by a compressor and supplied to an accumulator, thus reducing the load on the compressor. When vehicle height is not adjusted and the pressure in the accumulator exceeds a preset value, the air is released from the accumulator into the atmosphere through a throttle valve and the air drier to restore the capacity of the desiccating material in the air drier.